Among Sri Lanka’s multi-day fishing fleet, approximately 2,500 to 3,000 vessels, along with around 10,000 small fishing boats, operate in local and international waters at any given time, and accordingly  nearly 30,000 fishermen are continuously engaged at sea, states the  Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Susantha Kahawatte.

The Director General made these remarks while commenting on the disappearance of the fishing vessel ‘IDAY-A-0122KMN’, which departed from Matara on June 19 for a fishing expedition and subsequently encountered a technical malfunction. The vessel is not equipped with radio communication facilities or a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS/AIS), making it difficult for authorities to determine its exact location.

Regarding the ongoing search and rescue efforts, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte stated:

“Sri Lanka Air Force surveillance aircraft KA 360 and KA 350, along with Navy vessels P 485, P 410, and the offshore patrol vessel ‘Sindurala’, have been deployed in the search operation. Additionally, alerts have been issued through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Colombo to all local and international merchant and commercial vessels operating in the southern sea region. We have also requested these vessels to provide immediate assistance if they sight a fishing vessel in distress.”

The Director General also made a special appeal to the fishing community regarding safety measures:

“It is mandatory for all fishing vessels to be equipped with functioning communication equipment and vessel monitoring systems before setting out to sea. Fishermen must also wear life jackets at all times. During the recent period of adverse weather, seven fishermen who ventured out to sea faced dangerous situations, and five of them remain missing due to the failure to follow essential safety precautions.”

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources once again urges the entire fishing community to remain vigilant regarding prevailing weather conditions and to act responsibly in safeguarding both lives and property.